West To Make Debut For Connacht In Interpro Derby
Harry West, the 22-year-old back-three player, is pictured during a recent Connacht training session at Dexcom Stadium ©INPHO/James Crombie
Stuart Lancaster has made nine changes in personnel for his first interprovincial derby in charge of Connacht, who visit high-flying Munster at Thomond Park on Saturday (kick-off 7.45pm). Tickets are available to buy here.
Five members of last week’s starting XV against the Vodacom Bulls are in Chicago with the Ireland squad, including the province’s captain Cian Prendergast, while Mack Hansen, who was also set to be Stateside, is rehabbing a foot injury.
Tomorrow’s BKT United Rugby Championship fifth round encounter will see Mayo native Harry West make his senior debut for Connacht. The Academy graduate replaces Hansen at full-back.
He is part of a new-look back-three alongside Finn Treacy, who dons the number 11 jersey for his first start of the new season, and Byron Ralston who reverts from the centre to the right wing.
Galway natives Cathal Forde and Hugh Gavin combine as the starting centres, while Ben Murphy partners Josh Ioane at half-back. Forde, Murphy, and Shayne Bolton are the three Connacht backs included in the Ireland XV squad announced earlier this week.
With his red card from last Friday’s one-point defeat to the Bulls having been rescinded, Josh Murphy is retained in a back row led by Paul Boyle, who takes over from Prendergast as skipper following his recovery from a shoulder injury.
Also part of that Ireland XV group to face Spain next month, Sam Illo, Darragh Murray, and Sean Jansen will all start for the westerners in Limerick.
Jordan Duggan and Dave Heffernan complete the front row, with Joe Joyce picked to partner Murray in the engine room. Connacht will have some more forward grunt on the bench with the coaches opting for a six-two split.
Academy prop Fiachna Barrett is poised for his first senior appearance since the season opener against Benetton, and only the third of his young career. Back rower Seán O’Brien will don the number 23 shirt.
Speaking about the challenge that awaits his squad against second-placed Munster, Lancaster said: “An away interpro is one of the biggest tests in the URC so everyone’s looking forward to the game. Munster are a top-class, well-coached side, so firstly we must play as well as I know we can.
“I’ve heard the Connacht supporters always travel in big numbers for these games, so I’m sure they’ll make their voices heard in Thomond Park, and help us finish this first block of games on a high.”
CONNACHT (v Munster): Harry West; Byron Ralson, Hugh Gavin, Cathal Forde, Finn Treacy; Josh Ioane, Ben Murphy; Jordan Duggan, Dave Heffernan, Sam Illo, Joe Joyce, Darragh Murray, Josh Murphy, Paul Boyle (capt), Sean Jansen.
Replacements: Dylan Tierney-Martin, Peter Dooley, Fiachna Barrett, Niall Murray, David O’Connor, Matthew Devine, Sean Naughton, Seán O’Brien.